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'He had the crossword in front of him because he had a very keen mind, and he was his usual generous self,' he said.

'We had a lovely conversation. You know when people pass, as they do, sometimes you get to talk to them before they pass, and other occasions you don't get there in time.'

'I feel indescribably lucky that we were able to have that time just to chat about politics and life and him.'

The former Labor prime minister died on Thursday, two days before Mr Shorten is favoured by polls to lead the party back to government

'He had the crossword in front of him because he had a very keen mind, and he was his usual generous self,' Mr Shorten told Sunrise

He then went on to make a 30-second final election pitch to voters and urged Australians to 'vote for change'.

'It's time for a change. We don't want three more years of the last six years,' Mr Shorten said.

'Vote for change to stop the chaos. Vote for change for real climate action.'

'Vote for change because we are the united Australian team seeking your vote on Saturday. We won't let you down.'

Bob Hawke led Labor to four election wins in a row between 1983 and 1991.

The legendary politician's wife Blanche d'Alpuget said in a statement that her husband died peacefully at home.

'Today we lost Bob Hawke, a great Australian – many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era,' she said.

She will hold a private funeral with his children Sue, Stephen, Rosslyn and stepson, Louis, and his grandchildren and a memorial service will be held in Sydney in coming weeks.

Mr Shorten had the opportunity to recently visit Mr Hawke at his home to discuss the federal election and give his views on the Labor leader's policies

Bob Hawke's wife Blanche d'Alpuget said in a statement on Thursday that the former Prime Minister died peacefully at home

Mr Hawke has been remembered by all sides of politics as a man who made Australia better, his death coming two days a predicted Labor return to government.

He was the longest-serving Labor Prime Minister and had a string of achievements during his eight years in office.

He introduced Medicare in 1984, which became the country's first affordable and universal health insurance.

That same year he outlawed gender discrimination in the workplace by introducing the Sex Discrimination Act.

Mr Hawke also took steps to reconcile with Indigenous Australians through a treat and by replacing the Department of Aboriginal Affairs was replaced with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.

Mr Hawke has been remembered by all sides of politics as a man who made Australia better, his death coming two days a predicted Labor return to government